Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1867-2000 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
6.99 linear metres
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The Royal Choral Society began its life as the Royal Albert Hall Choral Society, and was formed towards the end of 1871 with money provided for the purpose by Her Majesty's Commissioners for the 1851 exhibition. Charles Gounod conducted the society's first concerts, which began in May 1872, but was soon succeeded by Sir Joseph Barnby, who remained in office until 1896.
In 1888 Queen Victoria became patron of the society, allowing it to change its name to the Royal Choral Society. Successive conductors have included Sir Frederick Bridge, who directed the society for 25 years; Sir Malcolm Sargent, who remained in office until his death in 1967; Wyn Morris, who left amidst some controversy in 1970 and Meredith Davies, 1971-1985, followed by Laszlo Heltay and Richard Cooke. During the 1920's and 1930's the Royal Choral Society became famous for its performances of Coleridge-Taylor's 'Hiawatha', which was performed in the Royal Albert Hall with full costumes and often up to 1000 performers. The society is also well known for its Good Friday performances of Handel's Messiah and its extremely popular carol concerts. Highlights of the society's career include the British premier of Verdi's Requiem, which was conducted by the composer. It was the first choral society to make a gramophone recording and, under the baton of Sir Malcolm Sargent, became one of the first choirs to present choral works at the annual promenade concerts.
The Royal Choral Society is closely associated with the Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children, which was launched in 1968 as a memorial to its most famous conductor. Charity concerts in aid of the fund began in the autumn of 1968 with a performance of Verdi's Requiem, conducted by Sir George Solti. A special Music Fund was formed during the choir's 1972/1973 season, to commission or help finance new choral works for the society, and to make financial contributions to the performances of other contemporary choral works.
For further information see http://www.royalchoralsociety.co.uk/.
Repository
Archival history
GB 0074 LMA/4058 1867-2000 Collection 6.99 linear metres Royal Choral Society x Royal Albert Hall Choral Society
The Royal Choral Society began its life as the Royal Albert Hall Choral Society, and was formed towards the end of 1871 with money provided for the purpose by Her Majesty's Commissioners for the 1851 exhibition. Charles Gounod conducted the society's first concerts, which began in May 1872, but was soon succeeded by Sir Joseph Barnby, who remained in office until 1896.
In 1888 Queen Victoria became patron of the society, allowing it to change its name to the Royal Choral Society. Successive conductors have included Sir Frederick Bridge, who directed the society for 25 years; Sir Malcolm Sargent, who remained in office until his death in 1967; Wyn Morris, who left amidst some controversy in 1970 and Meredith Davies, 1971-1985, followed by Laszlo Heltay and Richard Cooke. During the 1920's and 1930's the Royal Choral Society became famous for its performances of Coleridge-Taylor's 'Hiawatha', which was performed in the Royal Albert Hall with full costumes and often up to 1000 performers. The society is also well known for its Good Friday performances of Handel's Messiah and its extremely popular carol concerts. Highlights of the society's career include the British premier of Verdi's Requiem, which was conducted by the composer. It was the first choral society to make a gramophone recording and, under the baton of Sir Malcolm Sargent, became one of the first choirs to present choral works at the annual promenade concerts.
The Royal Choral Society is closely associated with the Malcolm Sargent Cancer Fund for Children, which was launched in 1968 as a memorial to its most famous conductor. Charity concerts in aid of the fund began in the autumn of 1968 with a performance of Verdi's Requiem, conducted by Sir George Solti. A special Music Fund was formed during the choir's 1972/1973 season, to commission or help finance new choral works for the society, and to make financial contributions to the performances of other contemporary choral works.
For further information see http://www.royalchoralsociety.co.uk/.
Deposited in May 1997, with a further deposit in May 1998.
Records of the Royal Choral Society including Committee minutes; correspondence; licenses and contracts; sponsorship arrangements; financial accounts; papers relating to legal cases; papers relating to concerts; papers relating to performances of 'Hiawatha'; papers of the Friends of the Society; photographs; sheet music; brochures, flyers, newspaper cuttings, posters, bulletins and newsletters; recordings of performances including records, reel to reel tapes, cassette tapes and videos; concert programmes; and branded merchandise.
LMA/4058/A: Administration;
LMA/4058/B: Finance;
LMA/4058/C: Legal papers;
LMA/4058/D: Concert files;
LMA/4058/E: Hiawatha;
LMA/4058/F: Friends;
LMA/4058/G: Photographs;
LMA/4058/H: Music;
LMA/4058/I: Printed Material;
LMA/4058/J: Printing Blocks;
LMA/4058/K: Recordings;
LMA/4058/L: Programmes;
LMA/4058/M: Ephemera;
LMA/4058/N: Historical papers;
LMA/4058/O: Artifacts.
These records are open to public inspection, although records containing personal information may be subject to closure periods.
Copyright to these records rests with the depositor.
English
Fit
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
A previous deposit of records from the society has been catalogued as ACC/2370.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
June to August 2010. Musical styles Musical performers Choirs Cultural administration Arts administration Concert administration Communication process Publicity Musical performances Concert performances Performing arts Music Vocal music Choral music Information sources Documents Concert programmes Performers Artists Choral societies Societies Associations Organizations Sound recordings Recordings Advertising Royal Choral Society x Royal Albert Hall Choral Society London England UK Western Europe Europe
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Deposited in May 1997, with a further deposit in May 1998.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Records of the Royal Choral Society including Committee minutes; correspondence; licenses and contracts; sponsorship arrangements; financial accounts; papers relating to legal cases; papers relating to concerts; papers relating to performances of 'Hiawatha'; papers of the Friends of the Society; photographs; sheet music; brochures, flyers, newspaper cuttings, posters, bulletins and newsletters; recordings of performances including records, reel to reel tapes, cassette tapes and videos; concert programmes; and branded merchandise.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
LMA/4058/A: Administration;
LMA/4058/B: Finance;
LMA/4058/C: Legal papers;
LMA/4058/D: Concert files;
LMA/4058/E: Hiawatha;
LMA/4058/F: Friends;
LMA/4058/G: Photographs;
LMA/4058/H: Music;
LMA/4058/I: Printed Material;
LMA/4058/J: Printing Blocks;
LMA/4058/K: Recordings;
LMA/4058/L: Programmes;
LMA/4058/M: Ephemera;
LMA/4058/N: Historical papers;
LMA/4058/O: Artifacts.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
These records are open to public inspection, although records containing personal information may be subject to closure periods.
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright to these records rests with the depositor.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
A previous deposit of records from the society has been catalogued as ACC/2370.
Finding aids
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English